The Indian cricketing star Kapil Dev once said, “The hunger to win must not die, the appetite has to remain big.” As fans anxiously await the result of another intense T20 World Cup encounter between India and Pakistan, we reflect on this poignant message.
As the game got begun at R. Premadasa International Stadium in Colombo, Kapil Dev’s remarks broke through the clamor of competition and excitement. In sports, including cricket contests, temperament, belief, and hunger are just as important as skill.
The first team from Group A to go to the T20 World Cup Super 8s will be the victor of Sunday’s encounter between India and Pakistan.
What does the quote from Kapil Dev mean?
Kapil Dev’s lesson is straightforward but profound: if the “appetite” to accomplish more starts to wane, success can subtly stifle ambition. It is not enough to win once; what makes champions is to remain hungry after winning.
“The passion to win must not die” implies that the greatest danger facing any team is complacency. A team runs the risk of losing the focus that first made them successful when they start to rely solely on their prior achievements.
The “appetite” Kapil Dev talks about is more than just a desire to win in any sport or to score runs or take wickets in a cricket match. In both sports and life, it is about mental toughness, preparation, discipline, and intensity.
India’s record versus Pakistan in the Men’s T20 World Cup
With seven victories and one loss since the T20 World Cup’s launch in 2007, India has mainly beaten Pakistan on the biggest stage of the competition:
The first-ever T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan took place in Durban on September 14, 2007. MS Dhoni’s team defeated Shoaib Malik’s team by a bowl-out score of 3-0 after the game finished in a draw.
September 24, 2007 – Johannesburg (Final): In the first edition’s final, the two teams faced off once more. India maintained composure to win by an exciting five runs and win the trophy.
3. India defeated Pakistan by eight runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on September 30, 2012. Under Dhoni’s leadership, Virat Kohli led the innings with an undefeated 78 while chasing 129.
4. India won by seven wickets in Mirpur on March 21, 2014. Suresh Raina added 35 and Virat Kohli hit 36 to easily lead the chase.
5. March 19, 2016 – Kolkata: India extended their winning run over Pakistan in T20 World Cups to five games with a six-wicket victory, further solidifying their supremacy.
6. October 24, 2021, Dubai: Pakistan defeated India to win the T20 World Cup for the first time ever. Pakistan managed to chase down 152 without losing a wicket, with to unbroken fifties from Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan.
7. Melbourne Cricket Ground, October 23, 2022: India made a spectacular comeback. In a thrilling last over, Virat Kohli’s iconic 82 helped India win by four wickets.
8. June 9, 2024 – New York: India won by six runs after defending a low total of 119 runs. In a tight match, Jasprit Bumrah stood out with figures of 3/7.
